Hoping you can settle a debate my friendly ex and several other people have recently drawn blood over.

We live in the southern US where it is hot. Little rain. Humid. You're lucky to catch me wearing pants if I go outside. The debate was about flip flops. The ex didn't think men should wear them unless they're at the beach. I posited fuck you, it's 90 out. From when I leave my house to opening the car door (10 seconds) my skin is leaking. There's a time and place for real shoes and formal wear but when I'm out and about with no expected pretense of professionalism, you're lucky I'm even wearing clothes.

I didn't give a crap one way or another, but over the last few years, that has started to irk me; notably on the Metro ride to work. Now, in the 90s, girls used to put on their LA Gear sneaks and put on pumps at work. That makes sense: as the DC metro escalators are grimy, the floor of the subway is nasty, and your nice dress shoes will get all scuffed.

But now, they slip on a few flip flops and shuffle to work. The women that do this also seem to have hair that hasn't properly dried yet. It's lazy.

And frankly, some people don't take care of their feet. On the beach or pool, I don't notice them. But on the metro I constantly have to avoid looking at someone with fungal infections, bunions, corns, ingrown whatevers, scaling, cracking, and all manner of neglect that they either try and cover up with toenail polish or... I just think that their feet are so far away from there eyes, what they don't see, they don't groom. Add to that the grime and crap on the subway floors that has gotten worse with the neglect of our public transit in the last 5-10 years.

But if you're any sex and dressed casually to go out and walk around the C&O Canal or sun yourself on the ground of the monument, that's more appropriate. And shoes on the beach is just asking for trouble.

Voted beach only. I would include in the locker room and pool-side as well.

On appearance: I hate that they have become common wear during warmer months. I think they make most everyone look like a sloppy mess, especially on men. Even if they had a good look put together, I think the sandals actually make that look slide to the slovenly.

On support: I personally do not like open shoes on my feet regularly. I had a couple of bad experiences with things like old school beer tabs and broken glass in the dirt as a child that I am through with that kind of footwear. No more.

Not related to my distate for the footwear, I think it is ridiculous that, IMO, seemingly more and more people are wearing them in roles meant for active-wear footwear (hiking, sports, running). I have seen more goofs hurt themselves trying to play softball or soccer or hiking around a forest preserve wearing flip flops "because they are so comfortable" .

I wear flip-flops often when it's hot out; if someone has a problem with that, well, they're the one with the problem, not me. Me? I'm nice and comfy in my flip-flops.

Me too.

Dietz wrote:

People in sandals are useless in any kind of emergency.

Ever been to SE Aisa? A couple friends challenged some locals to a game of basketball in the Philippines. Friends wore basketball shoes and were decent players, a couple played in college. Locals wore flip-flops. Despite being a couple inches shorter on average, the locals damn near shut out the friends.

I live in Florida so I wear them regularly, but I also manicure my feet very cleanly so they don't look like Ashy Larry. Some people though I agree should not be let out of their cages with anything less than knee socks and jackboots. Some feet were not meant to be seen

And frankly, some people don't take care of their feet. On the beach or pool, I don't notice them. But on the metro I constantly have to avoid looking at someone with fungal infections, bunions, corns, ingrown whatevers, scaling, cracking, and all manner of neglect that they either try and cover up with toenail polish or... I just think that their feet are so far away from there eyes, what they don't see, they don't groom. Add to that the grime and crap on the subway floors that has gotten worse with the neglect of our public transit in the last 5-10 years.

yes, this. if your feet are in decent shape--trimmed toenails, no chipped polish, fine. But some people have some truly fucked up feet that should stay under wraps, or at least in a shoe.